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Rachel Spinelli Punched Me in the Face
Zachary's mom just up and disappeared from their home in Copper Lake, Colorado. The good news is that Zachary and his dad are trying to move on, and Falls, Connecticut is just the place for a fresh start. With the help of a new friend, Rachel, and her brother Teddy, Zachary is learning about new beginnings, the power of forgiveness, and the quirky people that make life interesting.
176 pages, Hardcover
First published August 30, 2011
About the author
Paul Acampora
11 books73 followers I was born in Bristol, Connecticut and grew up surrounded by an extended mob of parents, sister, grandparents, cousins, neighborhood kids, rabbits, dogs, nurses, engineers and others that, at various times, included musicians, Italians, Canadians, cancer survivors, gardeners, chicken killers, hair dressers, poker players, checker cheaters, pony riders, shopkeepers, factory workers, elementary school teachers, auto mechanics, rock and roll fanatics, massage therapists, several people who may or may not be dead, and a crowd of other miscellaneous wheeler-dealers. I went to school at St. Joseph Elementary School and St. Paul Catholic High School. I was a voracious reader as a kid. I still am. I attended the University of Notre Dame (GO IRISH!) where, thanks to my friend John Costello and his father, Dr. Donald Costello, I earned a degree in American Studies despite the fact that the only American places I’d ever visited were summer vacations on a beach at Rhode Island and occasional day trips around New England to watch jai alia, greyhound racing or the trotters with my grandfather who, with my Uncle Joe, taught me how to ride and drive a sulky behind my very own pony named Misty (that's me and Misty at left). After college, I wandered around the country for a few years. Despite what my mother might say, I did not steal her 1973 Buick Electra. Despite what my friends might say, the car was the color of summer gold. Not piss yellow. I've lived in every state that begins with the letter U or a C. I was a Student Conservation Association volunteer for awhile giving tours at the Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry in southeast Utah. I spent a winter schlepping very expensive bags around the Rocky Mountains for guests of the Snowmass Lodging Company. As a Holy Cross Associate volunteer, I lived with a half-dozen friends in a tiny house in the San Francisco Bay area where we tried to be good people. I stayed in California to teach kindergarten at St. Patrick Elementary school in West Oakland. I got married (yahoo!), and my wife and I lived in “the heart of the bay,” Hayward, California for nearly ten years. When we decided to move, we put names of favorite places in a paper bag and pulled out a slip that said PENNSYLVANIA. So that’s where we live now. These days, I remain married to my best friend. I have a son and a daughter who keep me on my toes. I’ve got a day job and a kayak and tons of books that I love to read. I write early in the morning and late at night. My favorite place in the world is wherever my wife and kids are. I am especially happy when that place is next to a lake or in France. My favorite word in the dictionary is Naugahyde. I’ve been a vegetarian for about 20 years. My favorite non-home-cooked meal is cinnamon-raisin French toast plus black coffee at the Karlton Café in Quakertown, Pennsylvania. For the future, I hope my family and friends are safe, healthy and happy and that I will write dozens and dozens of new stories and novels, each one better than the last.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
October 29, 2018
This is the most amazing book so far. It is funny and incredible. Rachel is very aggressive while Teddy is very soft and somehow needed to be watch out. And Zachary is the new boy who plays trumpet. This story is really funny. Paul must be really amazing to write a story which is soooo funny like this one.
January 29, 2012
I sincerely enjoyed this well crafted, well rounded novel right from the get go. A cast of inventive characters had me laughing out loud one minute, and pausing to re-read a beautiful moment the next. The bit of wisdom I took from this one? - Life is full of change, so let it flow and see where this magical river takes you.
Another plus - I could hand this book to any of the kids in my life without a breath of hesitation. Thank you for that!
Another plus - I could hand this book to any of the kids in my life without a breath of hesitation. Thank you for that!
August 1, 2014
Some parts of this story were clever and charming - and who could resist the title? (I do prefer the yellow jacket cover on mine to the one pictured here, though.)
Some pros:
The main character's mother leaves the family at the beginning of the book and he's dealing with the hurt of that, as is his father. Although a missing parent is often overdone in literature for this age level, I think the treatment here is natural and handled well.
I believed in the community members. I like the idea of books that show all kinds of people who interact with each other - not just the ones who are your age or who happen to live in your house. Sometimes these attempt fall flat - creating eccentric neighbors and so forth, but this one adds a bit of flavour without going too much into detail about the supporting characters.
I like the relationship between Zachary and his father. I also like how music is a tie between them (and also to Teddy) - and the music connection isn't fake: the writing reveals an understanding about musicians.
Some cons:
I wish Rachel were a bit more funny. She's set up to be big bad Rachel, and we learn the reason why, and we have a fair amount of reasons to want to like her, but she's just not as compelling as she needs to be to propel the book. If she had some major talent or ability, or her insults popped a little better, it would give her more edge. There's a little too much telling about how mean she is, so the showing falls short - her fury seems a bit pale.
I'm all about sitting around and thinking about who people are and why they do what they do, and even I think the characters spend an unrealistic amount of time discussing who they are and why they do what they do. Fortunately, it's usually interesting, but it stretches believability a bit for them all to be able to articulate these insights and be willing to share them so regularly.
SLIGHT SPOILER*****
While the romantic feelings between Zachary and Rachel aren't overdone, I don't know that they're necessary to the story. Their friendship would be a meaningful connection by itself. Because of this bit of storyline, though, I'd recommend this more for 5th or 6th grade.
Some pros:
The main character's mother leaves the family at the beginning of the book and he's dealing with the hurt of that, as is his father. Although a missing parent is often overdone in literature for this age level, I think the treatment here is natural and handled well.
I believed in the community members. I like the idea of books that show all kinds of people who interact with each other - not just the ones who are your age or who happen to live in your house. Sometimes these attempt fall flat - creating eccentric neighbors and so forth, but this one adds a bit of flavour without going too much into detail about the supporting characters.
I like the relationship between Zachary and his father. I also like how music is a tie between them (and also to Teddy) - and the music connection isn't fake: the writing reveals an understanding about musicians.
Some cons:
I wish Rachel were a bit more funny. She's set up to be big bad Rachel, and we learn the reason why, and we have a fair amount of reasons to want to like her, but she's just not as compelling as she needs to be to propel the book. If she had some major talent or ability, or her insults popped a little better, it would give her more edge. There's a little too much telling about how mean she is, so the showing falls short - her fury seems a bit pale.
I'm all about sitting around and thinking about who people are and why they do what they do, and even I think the characters spend an unrealistic amount of time discussing who they are and why they do what they do. Fortunately, it's usually interesting, but it stretches believability a bit for them all to be able to articulate these insights and be willing to share them so regularly.
SLIGHT SPOILER*****
While the romantic feelings between Zachary and Rachel aren't overdone, I don't know that they're necessary to the story. Their friendship would be a meaningful connection by itself. Because of this bit of storyline, though, I'd recommend this more for 5th or 6th grade.
March 31, 2015
Loved, loved, loved this book!!!
January 14, 2018
Funny story of 14 year olds
August 16, 2018
Really fun book for 5-8 grade boys. Love the theme of being friends with all sorts of people, living in a small town, and getting through a parents divorce.
November 17, 2018
It’s like if the books Stargirl and The Tiger Rising had a baby. I loved this book and will totally recommend this to my students. Especially to the boys.
Read
October 25, 2019U thought it was a very relatable book that made me interested and laugh. I had a good time reading this book.
July 1, 2020
I really like Paul Acampora! This is a good read for young teens...or, in my case, old ladies. lol
July 14, 2020
Too many issues tackled - some too much for younger readers and some too little for older students.
January 22, 2016
had a really hard time finishing this book. First off, Rachel and Zachary are supposed to 14, but they really don't sound like it. I felt like I was reading about a bunch of little kids--and the adults treat them like they're younger. For example, after they've been in town for a few months, Zachary's dad gives him and Teddy a ride, and this is what happens:
"Dad pointed at the glass door that led into the police department on the right. 'I'm going there.' Then he pointed toward a set of old, wooden steps that led up to a white, wooden entryway on the left. 'You're going there.'
"'Got it,' I said." (p. 75)
Really? At 14, his dad has to point out to him the difference between the police station and the town hall? I would think he'd know where his dad works...
There were also scenes and dialogue that just felt weird to me; I mean, I know the characters are supposed to be quirky, but still, there were things I couldn't buy a 14-year-old boy saying, like:
"'You can have more than one best friend,' I told her.
"'How's that?'
"'You can have a best boy friend, a best girl friend--'"
I don't know, I just wasn't feeling it. In the end, I was disappointed. The dialogue had me shaking my head, the character development wasn't deep enough, and I couldn't really find anything about the book that I liked.
"Dad pointed at the glass door that led into the police department on the right. 'I'm going there.' Then he pointed toward a set of old, wooden steps that led up to a white, wooden entryway on the left. 'You're going there.'
"'Got it,' I said." (p. 75)
Really? At 14, his dad has to point out to him the difference between the police station and the town hall? I would think he'd know where his dad works...
There were also scenes and dialogue that just felt weird to me; I mean, I know the characters are supposed to be quirky, but still, there were things I couldn't buy a 14-year-old boy saying, like:
"'You can have more than one best friend,' I told her.
"'How's that?'
"'You can have a best boy friend, a best girl friend--'"
I don't know, I just wasn't feeling it. In the end, I was disappointed. The dialogue had me shaking my head, the character development wasn't deep enough, and I couldn't really find anything about the book that I liked.
March 9, 2014
This was actually much better than I expected. I found this story to be charming and easygoing. I can't really say I laughed out loud...but I did chuckle a few times.
Pros-
1. Boy read. Good for boys...good boy narrator that is smart and clever and sweet.
2. Clever, easygoing, charming conversations. This book, like some ya's has a ton of conversation in it. But at least these conversations we're pretty entertaining to read. And to me, they sounded authentic...rather than making me feel like rolling my eyes every other page.
3. Strong, supportive father figure. That was different and appreciated. The dad in this book was awesome. In fact, all of the adults in this book, with the exception of the boys mother are portrayed very favorably. It was refreshing to say the least.
4. Lower reading level. This book should appeal to reluctant readers, readers who want to make sure they get a ocean book, and Tweens or juveniles that want to start reading teen fiction but don't want anything too advanced.
Cons-
1. The cover. The cover of the edition I read wasn't that bad...but the hardcover edition was completely awful. It totally looked like a jf book rather than ya. No wonder it never checked out! This edition is better, but still not great. It just looks so juvenile. I can see why most teens wouldn't want to pick it up.
Pros-
1. Boy read. Good for boys...good boy narrator that is smart and clever and sweet.
2. Clever, easygoing, charming conversations. This book, like some ya's has a ton of conversation in it. But at least these conversations we're pretty entertaining to read. And to me, they sounded authentic...rather than making me feel like rolling my eyes every other page.
3. Strong, supportive father figure. That was different and appreciated. The dad in this book was awesome. In fact, all of the adults in this book, with the exception of the boys mother are portrayed very favorably. It was refreshing to say the least.
4. Lower reading level. This book should appeal to reluctant readers, readers who want to make sure they get a ocean book, and Tweens or juveniles that want to start reading teen fiction but don't want anything too advanced.
Cons-
1. The cover. The cover of the edition I read wasn't that bad...but the hardcover edition was completely awful. It totally looked like a jf book rather than ya. No wonder it never checked out! This edition is better, but still not great. It just looks so juvenile. I can see why most teens wouldn't want to pick it up.
January 29, 2024
Zachary Beatrice’s mother leaves to catch some elusive dream of success. Left to pick up the pieces, his father accepts a police officer job in Connecticut. So, Zachary and his dad move from Colorado to a new life in the east. They’ve been in their new home for five minutes when Rachel Spinelli rings their bell. In another five minutes, they learn about Rachel’s brother Teddy- a developmentally delayed seventeen year-old, six-and-a-half feet tall trumpet virtuoso. Rachel, also, tells them that her mother resides in a coffee pot on a shelf in the family diner. (She died when Rachel was born.) As Zachary starts school, he learns one thing about Rachel. She spends more time in detention than she does in class because anyone who makes a negative comment about Teddy feels the force of Rachel’s fists. The bond between Zachary, Rachel, and Teddy strengthens during the summer as they help restore the Sarah Jean Tilley Memorial Park. Even after Rachel’s fist connects with Zachary’s face over a squirrel and its nest, the threesome remain fast friends.
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com
September 3, 2011
This quick read is jam packed with great snippets. Zachary and his dad are alone now- Mom decided to follow her dream to work a cruise ship and took off one morning. Now the men of the Beatrice family must decide what to do.
"What do you want?" I asked my father.
"I want us to be happy." he told me.
"That's all?"
"That would be enough."
......"Happy would be nice," I said, "let's try it."
So the duo are off to Falls, Connecticut. Zachary to high school and Dad as the police officer of the small town.
As they settle into the warmhearted town with its wacky cast of characters Zachary finds friends and very, very slowly approaches the tender beginnings of coming to grips with his anger at his mother. In the meantime he befriends Teddy a boy with Trumpet playing superpowers and Rachel, Teddy's hyperprotective sister who are coping with a different kind of loss.
Sweet and smooth writing about genuinely nice people.
"What do you want?" I asked my father.
"I want us to be happy." he told me.
"That's all?"
"That would be enough."
......"Happy would be nice," I said, "let's try it."
So the duo are off to Falls, Connecticut. Zachary to high school and Dad as the police officer of the small town.
As they settle into the warmhearted town with its wacky cast of characters Zachary finds friends and very, very slowly approaches the tender beginnings of coming to grips with his anger at his mother. In the meantime he befriends Teddy a boy with Trumpet playing superpowers and Rachel, Teddy's hyperprotective sister who are coping with a different kind of loss.
Sweet and smooth writing about genuinely nice people.
November 16, 2015
This was a delightful, quick, young-at-heart read. Acampora threads the needle between literary merit that adult readers might look for and youthful brevity and directness that appeal to less-mature readers, or people who might like to enjoy a complete story in under a week. Kids who read this may start because it's got a great title, stick with it because they love the characters, and emerge from it piecing together everything they read in more complex ways. At 168 YA-formatted (about 1 1/2 line spacing, or 12 on 18), it's certainly very quick to read, but there's also the value in reading each page, with laugh-aloud scenes, tearjerkers, and real character development. In a way, it's like a stretched-out short story, focusing more on characters (and they're wonderful) than on plot.
June 16, 2015
Zachary and his dad move to Falls, Connecticut, to start over after Zachary's mom left. Zachary is looking forward to the change.
Life in Falls, Connecticut is very different. First, they live in a house, not a trailer. Everyone knows everyone else. Then there's Rachel Spinelli. Rachel, her dad, and her brother Teddy live across the street. Rachel wants Zachary to know to treat her brother right. Teddy is special, but Zachary doesn't mind spending time with him and being his friend.
Nothing is what he expects and even when his mom shows up does Zachary know what he's in for.
A times funny, heart-wrenching, and always enjoyable, this is a realistic story of a high school freshman settling into a fresh start. Highly enjoyable.
Life in Falls, Connecticut is very different. First, they live in a house, not a trailer. Everyone knows everyone else. Then there's Rachel Spinelli. Rachel, her dad, and her brother Teddy live across the street. Rachel wants Zachary to know to treat her brother right. Teddy is special, but Zachary doesn't mind spending time with him and being his friend.
Nothing is what he expects and even when his mom shows up does Zachary know what he's in for.
A times funny, heart-wrenching, and always enjoyable, this is a realistic story of a high school freshman settling into a fresh start. Highly enjoyable.
November 14, 2011
"What do you want?" I asked my father.
"I want us to be happy." he told me.
"That's all?"
"That would be enough."
......"Happy would be nice," I said, "let's try it."
But Copper Canyon, Colorado, is a bleak place with unhappy memories. This is the town where Zachary’s mom abandoned her husband and child to pursue her dreams of travel and excitement.
So the two head for Falls, Connecticut, where Zachary enters high school and his Dad becomes the police officer for the small town. Falls is populated with an eccentric cast of characters, who are quick to welcome the newcomers into their midst. Z
"I want us to be happy." he told me.
"That's all?"
"That would be enough."
......"Happy would be nice," I said, "let's try it."
But Copper Canyon, Colorado, is a bleak place with unhappy memories. This is the town where Zachary’s mom abandoned her husband and child to pursue her dreams of travel and excitement.
So the two head for Falls, Connecticut, where Zachary enters high school and his Dad becomes the police officer for the small town. Falls is populated with an eccentric cast of characters, who are quick to welcome the newcomers into their midst. Z
December 27, 2011
When Zach’s mother decides to leave the family, his father decides to abandon a tired Midwestern life behind and begin again in a small Connecticut town. This is a realistic and heartwarming story of Zach’s transition into this new life. Two new friends make life meaningful for Zach – Rachel Spinelli, protective younger sister, and Teddy Spinelli, a highly functioning developmentally delayed high school trumpeteer. Rachel and Zach at times seem younger than 14, but this youngness would make them easier for upper elementary kids to relate with. Themes include death, divorce/separation, adolescence, and friendship. Grades 4-6
September 14, 2016
this was great! I marked this TBR years ago bc I liked the title and needed to get a few reader's advisory books for young boys under my belt, but I kept putting it off. finally picked it up, and I'm annoyed I didn't read this sooner bc I would have been recommending this book like crazy. the writing and dialog was fantastic, and all of the characters had depth (even the minor supporting ones). Zachary 's dad was my favorite. it dealt with multiple tough issues, but did so in a very straight-forward way tweens would understand, yet did so delicately (if that makes sense) and did so well in a short number of pages. I really liked this book. a clean read for tweens.
April 18, 2013
Kind of a "glossy" approach to big changes like mom leaving and moving across the country, but you take an instant liking to Zachary as well as Rachel and her brother.
"Zachary’s mom just up and disappeared from their home in Copper Lake, Colorado. The good news is that Zachary and his dad are trying to move on, and Falls, Connecticut, is just the place for a fresh start. With the help of a new friend, Rachel, and her brother Teddy, Zachary is learning about new beginnings, the power of forgiveness, and the quirky people that make life interesting."
"Zachary’s mom just up and disappeared from their home in Copper Lake, Colorado. The good news is that Zachary and his dad are trying to move on, and Falls, Connecticut, is just the place for a fresh start. With the help of a new friend, Rachel, and her brother Teddy, Zachary is learning about new beginnings, the power of forgiveness, and the quirky people that make life interesting."
October 9, 2013
Diverse Bodies and Brains Novel - Week 8
This book was decent, in my opinion. It started off very slowly, but did eventually pick up the pace. There was a disconnect between the age the characters were stated to be and how they acted and were treated. It was a good read as it discussed the separation of the parents, mother moving away, father and son moving to a new place, and making new friends of different cultures. Overall, I liked the book but would not recommend this for higher readers in middle school.
This book was decent, in my opinion. It started off very slowly, but did eventually pick up the pace. There was a disconnect between the age the characters were stated to be and how they acted and were treated. It was a good read as it discussed the separation of the parents, mother moving away, father and son moving to a new place, and making new friends of different cultures. Overall, I liked the book but would not recommend this for higher readers in middle school.
December 13, 2018
I just finished this one, and it felt a little thin to me. It didn't hurt the story, though. It made it a good, quick read for reluctant readers. I think the characters could have been developed more and that everything happened really quickly - which is different from the books I usually read. It's good to read different styles, and I'm glad I did because now I recommend something for younger readers, also. Also, it had some super funny scenes. Enjoy!
April 7, 2014
Ok book. Wasn't really something to remember though, and the language and flow of emotions was really weird some times! The second half of the book had a confusing flow of feelings. One minute he's angry at her and in his rant he compliments her.
?? That made me reread why he was angry at her in the first place and that could be understandably, yet it wasn't written very well. Also, that part with the mom, that was a flurry of different emotions that disrupted the reading flow.
?? That made me reread why he was angry at her in the first place and that could be understandably, yet it wasn't written very well. Also, that part with the mom, that was a flurry of different emotions that disrupted the reading flow.
October 8, 2011
I found an odd disconnect between the stated ages of the main characters (14) and the way they behaved, talked, etc. The main characters seemed a lot younger. Even the cover makes it skew younger than 14. That said, it's a fun, easy read, maybe a good choice for reluctant readers at the upper reaches of the middle-grade years.
November 15, 2011
This book was a bit slow to start, but once it got going I really enjoyed it. The characters were all well developed, and it touched on many issues. How to be a friend and a sibling to someone who is high functioning special needs. How to deal with the death of a parent or being abandoned by a parent. I will definitely be writing a book-talk for this one.
February 29, 2016
This is a book that we can all relate to. A 13 year old boy called Zachary has just moved after his mum left him and his dad. Zachary meets this over excited boy who gets in trouble with the law quite often at first Zachary is very annoyed by him but then they find one thing they both like the trumpet and the rest is history.
November 29, 2011
This was a fun little novel that reminded me of the books I loved when I was a pre-teen. It contains a coming of age story with some lovable and believable characters, and touches on some serious themes in a lighthearted way.
November 18, 2011
****THIS WAS A GOODREADS.COM FIRST READ CONTEST WIN!****
This is a wonderful book for teenagers. A very nice clean read for the younger people. Well developed characters with a wonderful plot. The book was well written.
****THIS WAS A GOODREADS.COM FIRST READ CONTEST WIN!****
This is a wonderful book for teenagers. A very nice clean read for the younger people. Well developed characters with a wonderful plot. The book was well written.
****THIS WAS A GOODREADS.COM FIRST READ CONTEST WIN!****
July 2, 2012
Another coming of age story. Delightful characters. Loved how the main character moved past his initial fury at his mom walking out on him and his dad. A bit simplified, perhaps, but I like it when kids are shown as resilient go-getters instead of wo-is-me victims. Recommended 11+
February 5, 2016
This was a surprisingly good book about how Zachary spends his summer coping with being the new kid in a small town and with the breakdown of his family. The character Rachel does not punch him in the face til much later in the story ;)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews